Bobby Few

Piano Solo, Recorded at studioson, Edward Auslender's recording studio in France in Nov 2004. Review by Michael G. NastosBobby Few has been revered as a modern jazz pianist, but mainly in Europ

BOBBY FEW: Bobby FewPiano Solo, Recorded at "studioson", Edward Auslender's recording studio in France in Nov 2004.
Review by Michael G. Nastos
Bobby Few has been revered as a modern jazz pianist, but mainly in Europe where he has lived for decades since expatriating. Stateside he was caught working with Booker Ervin, Albert Ayler, for many years in the ensembles of Steve Lacy, and after Lacy's passing with Avram Fefer. While playing solo is nothing new for Few, this effort reveals him in varied layers of emotionalism, dynamic structure and pacings. These are not languid, breezy, simple piano interpretations of mainstream jazz. Instead intricately woven tapestries lined by bright colors, and as the title of the CD indicates, searching in that light for the corresponding shadows that paint broader, darker strokes. The rolling triplet arpeggios of "From Different Lands" reflect stark multi-cultural elements, the pretty "Dreams" offers cascading and flowing lines, while introspective and wry themes asking more questions than answers leads into an animated, confrontational passage of the near 15 minute "What You Doing?" The more identifiable themes are given, through Few's vast experience, on the repeated mirror-like Thelonious Monk off-minor bop welded onto the melody of "Hello My Baby" during Lacy's "Flakes," and the sweet waltz "Enomis," a parallel tone poem to "Danny Boy." The nearly 20 minute title track goes everywhere, not letting up for a minute, and is a display of not only stamina for the 60+ year old Few, but a displays the ability to edit volume levels while building skyscraper lofty plumes of phrases and rhythms. An engaging, largely compelling and always inventive effort, Few consistently proves why he should be in the upper echelon of modernist improvisers that always seeks new horizons. www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:0jftxzqhldje

Bobby Few Piano Solo, Recorded at studioson, Edward Auslender's recording studio in France in Nov 2004. Review by Michael G. NastosBobby Few has been revered as a modern jazz pianist, but mainly in Europ